LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

George Washington

With the election approaching, Washington informs the people that he is declining to run for office once more. He explains that this is a well thought out decision, and it has nothing to do with lack of care for the future of the country or with the respect of the citizens. He actually planned on not running for a second term, however the state of foreign affairs led him to forget the idea.

Washington is glad that the people are concerned about the good of the country, however he hopes that they will not disapprove of his decision. The older he gets, the more he realizes he is ready to retire. He is grateful for the support he has received over the years, and hopes the citizens' happiness can be made complete.

He informs the people that the current state of the government - unified - will not always be that way. He also says people need to remain united. The North needs the South, and vice versa, the East needs the West, and vice versa. This interdependence will make the nation stronger and will provide greater security from "external danger."

Having an effective government is not easy, shown by the Articles of Confederation. However, the Constitution is "better calculated" and the government should receive credit for that. Also, the laws in the Constitution should be adhered to, and however if the people disagree with a law, they should change it, since just disobeying the law is destructive.

Parties may seem like they're doing good, but they actually are the enemy of government. They pit people against each other and leave America vulnerable to other countries. People should be cautious regarding who they elect into political office, and be careful in not allowing one branch to have power over the others. If the citizens think the balance of power is off, it should be corrected in the Constitution, but be careful, since this can lead to destruction of the government.

Religion and morality are important to political prosperity, as well as education. Have a positive, peaceful relationship with other nations, and do not have rivalries with these nations. Also bad are permanent alliances, since they can result in unwanted participation in war, or can result in foreign nations interfering with America. The most important thing about trade relations with other countries is having them with minimal political connection.

He hopes what he said will be helpful in preventing waves of powerful parties in the future or reminding people to stay out of foreign affairs. Regarding the ongoing war in Europe, stick to the Proclamation of Neutrality - it is not worth it, as a new nation, to get involved in a war. He finishes by saying that while he has made mistakes, he hopes they were not too costly, and that people will forgive him. Lastly, he is excited to be a citizen of a free country, a happy reward for the work he has done.

Barack Obama giving the State of the Union speech in 2011

Washington's address is similar to State of the Union Addresses in America today. Although Washington is about to leave office, he essentially discusses the state of America during that time and expresses his views on major issues.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

The Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

The United States will pursue a friendly and impartial (neutral) conduct towards the world's powers that are currently at war. Washington warns American citizens not to take part in activities that go against this position. Any citizen that helps or harms any of the powers will be subject to punishment. Citizens will also be punished for violating the law of nations.



A Dr. Seuss cartoon depicting America's post-WWI policy of isolationism

Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality is similar to the policy of isolationism the US had after World War I. Like Washington's proclamation, the US stayed out of foreign affairs.

LAD #5: Federalist #10

Federalist #10

Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

The only way to eliminate them would be to destroy the citizens' freedoms or create a society where every person has the same opinions. Both are highly unlikely or even impossible.

If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

While removing the cause of the factions is not possible, the impact of the faction can be controlled, either by outvoting a minority faction or having the government overrule a faction if it is a majority, in the interest of the good of society.



James Madison's definition of a faction - a group of people who share an interest - is the definition of today's political parties. Today's current political factions share the qualities of the factions described in Federalist #10 by Madison.

Republican Motherhood Blog

What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

The war was used to explain the transition in the role of women. As Graves writes, the job of a woman is patriotic in that she serves her country by raising good citizens an leading young minds "along the pleasant paths of knowledge."

What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Once they became mothers, women's lives were centered around teaching their sons and giving them an enlightened education, as Rush writes. In school women were prepared for these duties. Running the home was everything for women, and neglecting these duties by going out and socializing was going against what God wanted her to do.

What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?

Republican Motherhood elevated the role of women and gave them value. With both their role as teachers and their upbringing of the next generation, they became increasingly important to society (Stearns writes that "Society is her empire"). Stearns continues, saying that the destiny of America depends on the women of America, and they have the power to shape whether America will be "refined" or immoral.

Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons

Describe the setting.

The scene takes place in the home of the family, where women are expected to work in the model of Republican Motherhood. Tilghman is caring for her children, and doing the job of a mother in this era.

Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does the woman look? How is she "republican" rather than aristocratic?

The mother is in the center because she is the focus of the picture. Republican Motherhood raised the focus on women and recognized their importance to the future of the country. She looks at ease, possibly because her children are behaving, meaning she is doing her job by raising civilized children. She does not look "aristocratic" because she is not wearing fancy clothing and does not appear to represent the upper class. She seems to be a working class mother doing her job.

What values do her sons exhibit?

The sons look to be well-behaved, valuing respect and order. Their calm, yet happy demeanor, shows that they know what is expected of them and were raised well.

Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilghman's arm?

The younger child appears to be more active, with his arms in the air, so she is holding him still with her arm and supporting him, which represents the role of women in Republican Motherhood - to support their children.

Rosie the Riveter, who represented women working in factories during World War II.

Like women saw an elevated role when Republican Motherhood came about during the Revolutionary War, women found a new importance during World War II as well, as they worked in factories, doing jobs normally performed by men.

Blog #4: Revolution Article



Emanuel Leutze's Washington Crossing the Delaware, one of the many Revolution paintings that neglected to show battle scenes.

1. Artwork depicting the American Revolution often neglects to show battle scenes, which contributes to the belief that the war was more violent than often perceived
2. 1 of every 4 Continental Army soldier died, while 1 of 5 regulars died in the Civil War
3. The percentage of Continental prisoners who died exceeded the percentage of Union troops who died in the Andersonville prison, and is comparable to the number of US soldiers who died in Japanese internment camps during WWII
4. Countless civilians also died during the Revolution from diseases spread by soldiers
5. 0.5% of the civilian population died of war causes in both the Civil War and the American Revolution

Abraham Lincoln

Like the American Revolution, the Civil War is also commonly misunderstood. The Revolution is misunderstood in terms of how violent it was, whereas the Civil War is misunderstood for why Abraham Lincoln chose to fight the war. Lincoln did not choose to fight the Civil War to end slavery, as is commonly believed. Rather, Lincoln chose to fight the war to prevent the southern states from seceding so the Union was preserved, which he believed was one of his duties as President.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence



The Declaration of Independence in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.

The Declaration of Independence is based on core democratic principles that apply to all men. These include the belief that all men are created equal and have the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In addition, the colonists believed that the citizens should have a say in government, so Thomas Jefferson wrote that the government gets power from the consent of the governed. Lastly, when a government becomes destructive or too powerful, the citizens can revolt, like the colonists did against the King of Great Britain.

The colonists justified their pursuit of independence with grievances against the king, namely:

• His refusal to pass laws that help the citizens
• Creating new offices that harm the people
• Keeping standing armies in times of peace without consent
• Quartering troops
• Cutting off colonists' trade with the rest of the world
• Force taxes without consent
• Deny the colonists of trial by jury
• Declaring the colonies out of his protection and declaring war against them
• Invading the coasts and burning towns

The Declaration of Independence finishes with a conclusion in which the colonies claim they should be, and declare themselves to be free and independent. They also remove all loyalties and political connections to Britain, and say they have the power to declare war, make peace, start alliances, and establish trading relationships wherever they see fit.





Alex Rodriguez at the press conference announcing the end of his playing career with the New York Yankees

The colonists' relationship with Britain is similar to the Yankees' tumultuous relationship with Alex Rodriguez. What seemed like a positive, working partnership  in the beginning became filled with distaste. Like the colonies declared independence from Britain, the Yankees "declared independence" from Rodriguez by coming to an agreement with him that resulted in his release from the team.



 

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger



John Peter Zenger

Who was John Peter Zenger?

Zenger was a printer in New York who printed the New York Weekly Journal. The newspaper included many criticisms of the government, particularly towards the governor, William S. Crosby. While Zenger did not write the articles, he was arrested for libel - publishing works that oppose the government. He refused to name the anonymous authors.

What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

Obviously, it is controversial that Zenger did not write the articles, but still was convicted of a crime. Also, many believed the government was restricting the freedom of the citizens to convey their ideas. For these reasons, many believed Zenger should not be convicted. The first jury of the trial was filled with men paid by the governor, and Zenger's wife published accounts of this. Her publications led to a second, fair jury. On top of this, supporters of Zenger's cause hired Andrew Hamilton, one of the most famous lawyers of the time, to defend him. Hamilton made the argument that Zenger should not be guilty since his publications were true, and said a free press is the only thing that can protect the citizens from corruption. The jury quickly found Zenger not guilty, and he and Hamilton were revered.

What influence did this case have on American governmental tradition?

The trial impacted future members of government and their views on freedom of the citizens to convey their ideas. The first US Congress ensured free press in the First Amendment.

What is the lasting significance of his trial?

After the verdict was reached, journalists became more outspoken and felt more open to write their opinions, and printers were free to publish them. This was evident leading up to the American Revolution as many newspapers used it to speak their minds about their dislikes of the British government and their desires for independence. As more people saw this, revolutionary spirit among colonists soared. As mentioned above, once freedom was achieved, freedom of the press was the First Amendment to the new Constitution.





The Haymarket Affair

Like John Peter Zenger, a man named Oscar Neebe was wrongfully convicted of a crime. Neebe was accused of bombing Haymarket Square in Chicago, Illinois in 1886. Neebe also had to serve time in jail before being proven innocent.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

A painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris created in 1899 depicting the signing of the Mayflower Compact.

What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact contains the concept of a system of law and order. The document states that the colonists have agreed to abide by a set of laws, for the good of the colony, to preserve order in their new home.

How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" Worlds?

The connection to the Old World is seen in both the beginning and end of the compact where the Pilgrims refer to themselves as subjects of the King of England, as well as in the mention of the home nations of the men on the ship. However, there also is a connection to the New World since the document mentions the intentions of the men to "plant the first colony," which emphasizes the start of a new life in the New World.

How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut established a formal government, mentioning a governor and a secretary among other positions of power. This system gave power to a few specific people. The Mayflower Compact, on the other hand, says that the men combine themselves into a "civil Body Politick," meaning they are all working as one to maintain order. Also, the men writing the Mayflower Compact still recognize their connection to the Old World while the drafters of the Fundamental Orders make no mention of the mother country.

What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government (use of a written Constitution)?

The colonists were motivated because of their religious beliefs. It states in the document that they want to maintain the discipline of the Church. Plus, they write that the word of God requires the setting up a government to maintain peace.

In what significant way do the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?

The Fundamental Orders are designed so the citizens will not want to seize power. This is done by giving the people a say, shown in their ability to elect the governor. In addition, the citizens are given more freedom than they experienced in England, where they were subjects of the king. So, they were more satisfied and less likely to want to rebel.

The US Constitution

The Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut have a connection to the United States Constitution, written over a century later. Like the Constitution, both the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders were written in a time of need for order in a new society. The colonists both on the Mayflower and in Connecticut wrote the documents to establish basic laws and rights for the citizens, which is the same role the Constitution played for the Americans who won independence.